Strange Starting Problem. (190E 2.3) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mediamagikgroup · #1 09-27-2006, 06:44 PM

Hey Guys:
Ok this is a new one on me, and I am stumped. A strange starting problem just started a couple days ago, and I have no clue what it could be. Here is what happened. Two days ago, when I went to start the car in the morning, it would barely crank at all...was cranking very slow, similar to when you have a dead battery. In fact, I assumed after a couple trys, that it was the battery. The only difference was, at the end of cranking, with a dead battery you would eventually just get clicking. In this case, it just stopped cranking at all. I checked the battery with a meter, and it was fine, so I kept trying to start the car, and after about the 5th or 6th try, it gradually sped up the cranking and turned over fine. After that, it started fine the rest of the day, so I assumed it must have been a gremlin and was gone. Then today, same problem in the morning, so I tried several times until it started. All seemed well, but on my 3rd stop of the day, after being parked about 15 min. the same exact problem again. Would barely crank..and this time it took about 8 tries, and I had to pause a couple min between each few tries before it finally started.

I have no clue what could be going on. The battery checked fine again. I guess it could be a starter problem, but in the past when I have experienced bad starters, they always made some kind of strange sound, or something to clue you in that they were going bad. This sounds perfectly normal during all attempts to start, except for the fact it is barely cranking..LOL! I did check the ground from the battery to the frame, and it is fine. I could not locate the ground from the engine to the frame to check it..so I guess it could maybe be loose. but this seems like something else. If anyone has any ideas on what this could be, please let me know.

Thanks,
Larry

mbdoc · #2 09-28-2006, 08:03 AM

You need to have the starter checked..when cranking the starter should DRAW less than 100A..

david s poole · #3 09-28-2006, 12:16 PM

have a look at the main ground from trans bell housing to frame.could be loose or dirty.

mediamagikgroup · #4 10-03-2006, 03:24 AM

Great guys, thanks for the info.
I will try to locate the ground from the trans to the frame, and if I can find it, and it looks OK, I will have the starter checked. It is weird too, as I try to start it, and it is trying really hard to crank, the windshield wiper starts to wipe slowly too..LOL! guess maybe it might be the current draw DOC spoke of? anyway, we shall see. Thanks again.

Larry